09/08/2014

IF YOU LOVE THIS ISLAND What the Wind Turbine Industrial Park that could soon be built on Tinos will really mean for its residents and visitors The global issue of renewable and green energy is very important and, of course, it is necessary to our world’s future to think about where and how we obtain our electrical power. There is a wind turbine project planned for four Cycladic islands, including Tinos. Unfortunately, this project has nothing to do with the production of electrical power, be it renewable or green. Instead, it has everything to do with big business and the large European subsidies they will receive. What is going to happen: In February of this year, 2014, the Greek government approved a bill allowing the construction of massive industrial parks consisting of, so far, unspecified numbers of giant wind turbines to go ahead on several Greek islands. In the Cyclades, the designated islands are Tinos, Andros, Paros and Naxos. It is worth noting that the municipal governments of these four islands, as well as the regional government of the Cyclades, have unanimously opposed this plan, having made their opposition clearly known well before the bill was passed. So far, government approval has been given for approximately 20 wind turbines on Tinos. This is the preliminary stage, and this number represents only the first installment. There are, at least, another ten applications awaiting approval. Areas that have been designated for the industrial wind parks are close to Panormos, Isternia, Kardiani, Agios Romanos, Loutra, Xinara, Komi, Kalloni, Aetiofolia, and Mount Tsiknias. Considering the applications still to be approved, one could estimate that the plan is for 120 turbines, and possibly more. What these wind turbines are: The wind turbines that will be erected on the four islands will be among the largest on earth; up to 130 metres tall. (As an example for comparison: on Tinos there is currently one wind turbine; it is less than 30 metres high.) Wind Turbines are not a replacement for fossil fuels: Wind turbine energy cannot be stored. The levels of production fluctuate a great deal. Production levels are as unstable, unpredictable and changeable as the winds themselves. Wind Turbines are not a replacement for fossil fuels. On the contrary: petroleum and gas-powered backup generators are needed so that production levels remain constant when wind levels fall. Infrastructure that will be necessary: The current average two-lane roads on Tinos are seven to eight metres wide. In order to transport these giant wind turbines across the island to the places where they will be erected, roads will need to be 20 - 25 metres wide, the equivalent of a six-lane highway. 1

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To erect such high towers, it is necessary to excavate deep foundations. For these foundations, each wind turbine will require 500 - 800 cubic metres of reinforced concrete, which is approximately the amount of concrete used to construct a six story building. These massive excavations will seriously disrupt underground water sources island-wide. Environmental consequences: -According to professor of hydrogeology, Giorgos Stournaras, from the University of Athens, the ground water of Tinos will be seriously, even catastrophically affected. Crucial water levels will fall, and possibly disappear completely. In addition, the presence of wind turbines will adversely affect rainfall patterns on the island. - Reduction of rainfall and shrinking water resources will have a devastating impact on local agriculture. Agriculture is of crucial importance to the island now, as it will be in the future and has been for centuries in the past. - Honey bee populations will be adversely affected in the areas of the wind turbines. - Local bird populations will be seriously affected. Tinos hosts many species of birds that breed on the island, including Eleonora’s Falcons which winter in Madagascar and spend the summer on Tinos, laying their eggs and raising their young. Health concerns: - The velocity at which these turbines will turn is 250 - 350 kilometres per hour. The name given by scientists to the vibrational noise and disturbance produced, known as sub-noise because it travels through the ground as well as the air, is “Turbine Torture”. There are studies underway regarding the adverse health effects caused by wind turbines that stand close to populated areas, as the ones on Tinos will. Conclusion: Three large corporations are involved in this wind farm project: ENEL of Italy, ENERCOM of Germany, and the COPELOUZOS GROUP of Greece. They will be the only beneficiaries of this project. The island of Tinos will gain nothing, while losing much. (It is worth noting that with wind turbines electricity will, in fact, become more expensive, not cheaper.) If this project goes ahead, it will change the whole island, including its agriculture, landscape, tourism, among many other things. Signatures are needed in order to show that there is significant opposition to this project; opposition from local residents, both permanent and seasonal, as well as visitors. A court challenge has been put forward to the Supreme Court of Greece to stop the project from happening. This petition - your signatures - will be used to support this court challenge.

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The above information has been put together by concerned residents and friends of Tinos. Collection of Signatures from house owners and visitors who oppose the wind turbine project on Tinos We the undersigned, are both property owners on Tinos, and regular visitors to the island. We recognize the beauty of its landscape, its traditional villages, its architecture and culture. If this wind turbine project goes ahead, it will change the Tinos; its agriculture, landscape, and tourism, irreversibly damaging the island’s environment and character. Any energy or financial gains that the island might receive from this project stands in no relation to the already well-documented negative impacts that will result to the island’s nature and tourism.  We hereby contribute our support to the various citizen groups, and to the Municipality of Tinos, in our objection to the installation wind turbines, both through their public statements and their appeals in the courts of law. Please forward signed sheets to/and for more information contact: George Sitaras, Tinos Port, Cyclades 84200 ([email protected]) Please submit your signatures to George Sitaras before the end of August 2014. Name

Location of property on Tinos

Country of Residency

Signature & Date

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